Current through P.L. 171-2024
Section 34-24-2-6 - Action of aggrieved person for injunctive relief and damages from corrupt business influence; jury trial; right to forfeited property; state as aggrieved person(a) An aggrieved person may, in addition to proceeding under section 4 of this chapter, bring an action for injunctive relief from corrupt business influence in a circuit or superior court in the county of the aggrieved person's residence, or in a county where any of the affected property or the affected enterprise is located. If the court finds, through a preponderance of the evidence, that the aggrieved person is suffering from corrupt business influence, the court shall make an appropriate order for injunctive relief. This order must be made in accordance with the principles that govern the granting of injunctive relief from threatened loss or damage in other civil cases, except that a showing of special or irreparable damage to the aggrieved person is not required. The court may order injunctive relief only after the execution of a bond by the aggrieved person for an injunction improvidently granted, in an amount established by the court. In addition, the court may order a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, but only after a showing of immediate danger of significant loss or damage to the aggrieved person.(b) An aggrieved person may bring an action against a person who has violated IC 35-45-6-2 in a circuit or superior court in the county of the aggrieved person's residence, or in a county where any of the affected property or the affected enterprise is located, for damages suffered as a result of corrupt business influence. Upon a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the aggrieved person has been damaged by corrupt business influence, the court shall order the person causing the damage through a violation of IC 35-45-6-2 to pay to the aggrieved person: (1) an amount equal to three (3) times the person's actual damages;(2) the costs of the action;(3) a reasonable attorney's fee; and(4) any punitive damages awarded by the court and allowable under law.(c) The defendant and the aggrieved person are entitled to a trial by jury in an action brought under this section (or IC 34-4-30.5-5 before its repeal).(d) In addition to any rights provided under section 4 of this chapter, an aggrieved person has a right or claim to forfeited property or to the proceeds derived from forfeited property superior to any right or claim the state has in the same property or proceeds.(e) If the state is an aggrieved person, the attorney general and the inspector general have concurrent jurisdiction with the prosecuting attorney to bring an action under this section.Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-30.5-5.
As added by P.L. 1-1998, SEC.19. Amended by P.L. 222-2005, SEC.44.